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The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding / The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
Ostensibly retired, Hercule Poirot investigates a sensational news story and an international secret in this pairing of mysteries.
Audio Cassette
First published September 17, 2001
7 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Christie
5,808 books75.2k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 22, 2023
Not sure why these two are being sold together besides the fact that they both have even shorter versions you can track down if you are so inclined.
However, they are both good stories if you're a Poirot fan.
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
A man lay dead in a trunk in the corner while a party went on around him.
The murdered man told his wife he was traveling out of town, then went by his best friend's house to talk about something. A servant remembers letting him into the room he was found in, but his friend says he never saw him.
A house party that included his wife and other friends was scheduled for that evening and carried on as usual with no one suspecting that he was in the room, as well.
The next morning a servant saw a dark stain on the floor and traced it back to the trunk that was partially hidden by the screen, discovered the body, and alerted the police.
The dead man's wife is one of those women that all the men are secretly in love with, including his best friend. <--he's been arrested, btw and she's gone to Poirot because she doesn't believe it did it.
Now it's up to Poirot to discover whodunnit and why.
I liked this one! It felt like one of those rare shorts that feel as fleshed out as they can be, and it made quite fun reading.
For those of you who are (like me) completionists, this is actually an expanded version of another Christie short, The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is also known as The Theft of the Royal Ruby.
Both titles make sense because the pudding plays a part in the recovery of the ruby.
The gist of this one is that Poirot is called in to help an eastern prince because he's messed up in a big way. He's engaged to be married but unwisely decided to have one last hurrah with a ho.
Unfortunately for him, this chick made off with his family jewels. And he needs these jewels to present to his wife-to-be and her family.
If the police get involved, the word might get out and the scandal would ruin everything.
And I think it's pretty safe to say his fiance wouldn't be too happy to learn that he let some hussy take her wedding gift to the bathroom with her.
Somehow the Powers That Be suspect someone who is staying at a house called Kings Lacey has the jewel. Poirot then gets foisted on this family supposedly so that he can experience a traditional English Christmas.
And here's where the Christmas pudding from the title comes in because I'm guessing that's an English thing. I mean, we don't have week-old pudding as part of our holiday celebration in the States. So, you know...
And I absolutely loved Mrs. Lacey. She's the heart and soul of the whole thing and it's worth reading for her character alone.
Cheeky little kids & unsuitable boyfriends mingle in with the mistletoe & presents. So, while Poirot is there to find a thief, he actually does get a REAL family Christmas experience while he's doing it.
But don't worry. Even with all the Christmas crazy, Hercule Poirot will still solve the case.
The original idea came from the 1923 short story Christmas Adventure. If you can find that one, check it out!
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
However, they are both good stories if you're a Poirot fan.
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
A man lay dead in a trunk in the corner while a party went on around him.
The murdered man told his wife he was traveling out of town, then went by his best friend's house to talk about something. A servant remembers letting him into the room he was found in, but his friend says he never saw him.
A house party that included his wife and other friends was scheduled for that evening and carried on as usual with no one suspecting that he was in the room, as well.
The next morning a servant saw a dark stain on the floor and traced it back to the trunk that was partially hidden by the screen, discovered the body, and alerted the police.
The dead man's wife is one of those women that all the men are secretly in love with, including his best friend. <--he's been arrested, btw and she's gone to Poirot because she doesn't believe it did it.
Now it's up to Poirot to discover whodunnit and why.
I liked this one! It felt like one of those rare shorts that feel as fleshed out as they can be, and it made quite fun reading.
For those of you who are (like me) completionists, this is actually an expanded version of another Christie short, The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is also known as The Theft of the Royal Ruby.
Both titles make sense because the pudding plays a part in the recovery of the ruby.
The gist of this one is that Poirot is called in to help an eastern prince because he's messed up in a big way. He's engaged to be married but unwisely decided to have one last hurrah with a ho.
Unfortunately for him, this chick made off with his family jewels. And he needs these jewels to present to his wife-to-be and her family.
If the police get involved, the word might get out and the scandal would ruin everything.
And I think it's pretty safe to say his fiance wouldn't be too happy to learn that he let some hussy take her wedding gift to the bathroom with her.
Somehow the Powers That Be suspect someone who is staying at a house called Kings Lacey has the jewel. Poirot then gets foisted on this family supposedly so that he can experience a traditional English Christmas.
And here's where the Christmas pudding from the title comes in because I'm guessing that's an English thing. I mean, we don't have week-old pudding as part of our holiday celebration in the States. So, you know...
And I absolutely loved Mrs. Lacey. She's the heart and soul of the whole thing and it's worth reading for her character alone.
Cheeky little kids & unsuitable boyfriends mingle in with the mistletoe & presents. So, while Poirot is there to find a thief, he actually does get a REAL family Christmas experience while he's doing it.
But don't worry. Even with all the Christmas crazy, Hercule Poirot will still solve the case.
The original idea came from the 1923 short story Christmas Adventure. If you can find that one, check it out!
Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie.
April 2, 2021
3 Stars. A two-for. Both short stories feature the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot. The first, "Christmas Pudding," brought back wonderful memories of Christmas, English Canadian style. Crackers, turkey, seasonal deserts, secret wishes, gifts, carols, and snow. Poirot is invited to the festivities at the Lacey's country estate to assist in the case of a young, mid-east potentate whose dalliance with a woman in London may lead to international scandal. A valuable jewel has been lost. After his fears of cold and drafty rooms are assuaged, Poirot agrees to go and keep an eye open. He's in the right place at the right time. In "Spanish Chest," he's consulted by a society woman when her friend needs discreet help. The body of Mrs. Clayton's husband had been found in a large chest, oozing blood out onto the carpet. Was she seeing a young man behind his back? Her friend, or lover, has been arrested. Did all this happen as a party swirled around the chest? Neither disappointed, but please take me back to one of Christie's longer works as my next read! (October 2019)
April 28, 2011
Two short novellas that make for an enjoyble evening's read. Although retired, Hercule Poirot is lured back into the private investigator's game when a valuable ruby is stolen from Prince from somewhere in the Mideast. The investigation takes place during a traditional English Christmas celebration at a large home in the country featuring snowmen, decorations, stockings, Midnight Mass, lavish meals, and a Christmas pudding. In this novella, Christie throws around enough clues that it's fairly easy to figure out who stole the ruby. In the Mystery of the Spanish Chest, a body is discovered in a Spanish trunk the morning after a party was given in a London flat. Obviously, one of the guests at the party committed the deed, but which one? Even with the hint about Otello, I had to wait until Poirot revealed the solution in his own dramatic way. Love you, Agatha.
March 29, 2021
The final book on the list is one I read right at the end of the year (2020). It is a collection of short murder-mystery stories by Agatha Christie- five with Poirot, one with Miss Marple. It is actually the first Christie book I’ve read, but I will be sure to read more. The mysteries are entertaining, intriguing and the solutions often lie in very unusual places. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and I’m sure any murder-mystery fan or beginner would too.
May 23, 2009
You can't go wrong with Agatha Christie when you're in the mood for a clever mystery. I was very proud of myself for immediately figuring out the culprit in "The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding." In the second story, I didn't fare as well. Even with the hint about Othello, I didn't suspect the villain.
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March 10, 2016Despite being retired, M. Poirot is back at solving cases and is still one of the most remarkable detectives I have read about. The way he gathers all the suspects and witnesses in the end to build suspense always gets me goosebumps. I want the author to reveal the mystery but I am afraid of who it might be. The Christmas pudding mystery was a bit obvious but the second one was unthinkable.
December 2, 2025
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is one of my favourite Christie mysteries and I annually either reread or listen to it at the New Year to continue the holiday. Hugh Frazier does an excellent job performing it and The Mystery of the Spanish Chest.
July 26, 2020
Two excellent books here by Agatha Christie. Both of very good length, short stories, not novellas. Quite unlike other Poirot short stories where very few clues are given as to the murderer or criminal in question. You are left guessing and trying to figure out “who done it”.
November 20, 2009
Pudding a bit predictable, Spanish Chest not so.
May 10, 2013
Two shorter stories by the queen of mysteries. Both intriguing, but not compared to some of her other works.
August 30, 2016
2 short mysteries from the Queen of Crime. They will keep you interested till the very end.
5 stars!!!
5 stars!!!
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December 7, 2017I am not a huge mystery fan or Agatha Christie fan. This was perfect for snowy walks with my dog while waiting for Christmas to get here.
December 10, 2020
Easy (and seasonal) reading for fans of Agatha Christie!
December 13, 2020
Extremely fast to read and as mysterious as always!
January 26, 2021
Absolutely amazing Narration.
December 28, 2022
Having just checked books read I am enjoying revisiting Agatha Christie who with Catherine Cookson were always my favourite authors .
Agatha Christie never disappoints and I love how she takes me back to the earlier part of 20 th century with a different way of life . Haven’t read this book but recognised stories from T V Enjoyable even so and now I board the Blue Train Oh Joy
Agatha Christie never disappoints and I love how she takes me back to the earlier part of 20 th century with a different way of life . Haven’t read this book but recognised stories from T V Enjoyable even so and now I board the Blue Train Oh Joy
February 17, 2022
Another Poirot short story. Even though I am not a huge fan of short stories, I did enjoy this one. But I missed the well known way of Poirot when at the end he explains to the characters who did what and why this person is the criminal!
December 17, 2022
Hercule Poirot stories are nearly always entertaining, especially when read by Hugh Fraser. This audio CD was no exception. I particularly like "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding", which I read last as part of different collection of Agatha Christie stories.
October 5, 2021
All brilliant, complex stories. Bonus, Poirot is old, mellowed, and, dare I say it, quietly confident!
December 30, 2021
My first Agatha Christie read. What a delightful mystery. Read it for book club and then watched the tv adaptation of it to compare the two.
December 30, 2021
Lest inn av Hastings sjøl, kan det ikke bli bedre.
December 24, 2023
Hugh is great at reading these stories
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December 26, 20128.26am
August 9, 2021
Two very cozy and entertaining short stories that are marvelous for reading or listening to by the fire under the blankets with a mug of hot cocoa.
December 29, 2011
Quick listen, one with a Christmas theme. Nothing special.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews